Health experts monitor China bird flu

Australia's top health experts are closely monitoring an outbreak of a new strain of bird flu in China with chief medical officer Professor Chris Baggoley declaring Australia is well prepared.

Prof Baggoley said the outbreak of the H7N9 strain hadn't yet demonstrated human to human transmission and wasn't yet classed as a pandemic.

"We are alert to the situation and we are vigilant," he told AAP.

"What we are doing is monitoring the situation closely. We are liaising and getting advice from our experts. I am also working closely with my chief health officer colleagues from each state and territory as we consider the possibilities in relation to the behaviour of the virus."

Six people have so far died in China from the latest bird flu outbreak. Chinese authorities have now moved to close all poultry markets in the city of Shanghai.

Prof Baggoley said Chinese officials had been very helpful in providing information about the outbreak, including its progress in humans, genetic makeup and potential source.

He said H7N9 was proving to be a severe infection, although it was likely only those with advanced symptoms were seeking medical help.

However the outbreak of H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009 also started with reports of severe infections.

Prof Baggoley said there was no evidence of human-to-human infection.

"It's what you must have for any possibility of a pandemic," he said. "we do know that H7N9 has not previously infected humans. So we don't have any immunity to it. There is no vaccine."

However it was known that H7N9 was susceptible to commonly available anti-flu drugs which if administered early could reduce the severity of the infection.

"The people who provided the response to the 2009 pandemic have all the expertise and experience. Our systems will be able to swing into action very quickly," he said.